Our People

Deaf Services Queensland is governed by a Board of Directors whose job it is to set strategic direction and represent stakeholders in determining appropriate organisational performance.

THE BOARD

To guide this work policies have been established for strategic results, governance processes, Board/CEO links and CEO limitations. These policies are reviewed throughout the year based on an annual agenda that includes an annual planning retreat. Directors on the Board work voluntarily and contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience that is very much appreciated.

• 
  Bobbie Blackson
  Chair
  Bobbie joined the Board in August 2006 and holds degrees in Psychology and Social Work. She was a pioneer is relay service delivery in Queensland and is a co-founder of Australian Communication Exchange. She is responsible for managing an interpreting service at Griffith University. She is also a civil marriage celebrant and a JP. Bobbie is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a past President of Deaf Australia, Chair of the Australian Deaf Games Committee. Bobbie is also Deaf.
• 
  Dylys Bertelsen
  Vice Chair
  Dylys joined the Board in August 2006. She is CEO of Windsor REcruitment, an enterprise she began in 1999, now with 13 years of providing advice and service to many of Australia's most recognised non-profits. With a post graduate qualification Philanthropy and Non-Profit Studies, Dylys is an active member of the Major Gifts Committee at Mater Foundation Queensland and a Director of Artisan, Queensland's peak organisation for design.
• 
  Ian Milton
  Board Director
  Ian Milton rejoined the Board in 2009 having previously served 1987-1996. Ian has held a variety of roles in the Deaf community, including past President of Queensland Deaf Sports Association, Queensland Deaf Tennis Club and Australian Deaf Tennis Association. He was a Board Director of the Queensland Theatre of the Deaf and founding President of Deaflink Inc, the forerunner of the Australian Communication Exchange. Ian has recently retired from Brisbane City Council as a designer and is Deaf.

• 
  David Gibson
  Board Director
  David joined the Board in 2009 and is a member of the Queensland Parliament as the State Member for Gympie since 2006. A graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, he served as an army officer for 8 ½ years before embarking on a career in newspapers prior to taking public office. In his political career David has held various roles, including serving as the Minister for Police and Community Safety. Currently he is the Chair of the Mary Valley Economic Development Advisory Committee. David is a child of Deaf parents.
• 
  Marita Corbett
  Board Director
  Marita joined the Board in 2009 and is a partner with BDO, a global network of accounting and advisory firms. She brings more than 20 years' experience in supporting organisations to improve operations. Marita is a Chartered Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor and is a Director of the Institute of Internal Auditors Australia, Chair of the Crime and Misconduct Risk Management Committee, and Chair of the Department of Science, IT, Innovation and the Arts Audit and Risk Management Committee.
• 
  Richard Lizzio
  Board Director
  Richard joined the Board in 2009 and is the Queensland and Northern Territory Manager for Healthscope. Richard has over 25 years of commercial experience, including the not-for-profit sector in Health, Aged Care and Education. He also has an extensive background in advisory and financial services with Ord Minnett and KPMG. Richard has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Chartered Accountant.
• 
  Judith Bertram
  Board Director
  Judith joined the Board in 2009. She has held a range of senior positions in the Queensland Government throughout her 30 year career, most recently as the Deputy Director General, Department of Child Safety and prior to that as the General Manager, Workplace Health and Safety, Queensland. Judith has also worked extensively in the vocational education and training sector. She is presently the Director of Community Engagement at the Queensland Resources Council.
• 
    Bronwyn Neroni
  Board Director
  Bronwyn joined the Board in May 2011. Bronwyn is the National Manager for the dispute resolution practice of the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). Previously she worked with the not-for-profit sector as the National Manager of AGS's pro bono program. She was admitted to practice as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and a Practitioner of the High Court of Australia in 1999.
• 
  Sally Strobridge
  Board Director
  Sally is a third generation Deaf person who joined the Board in 2013. Sally first became associated with Deaf Service Queensland in the1980’s, initially as a client and later as an employee. As President of the Queensland Association of the Deaf from 2008–2011 Sally collaborated with Deaf Services Queensland to help establish our Townsville office. Currently Sally works as an Auslan Language Model for Education Queensland and as an Auslan consultant for different organisations.

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Brett Casey

Chief Executive Officer

Angelo Toscano

Chief Financial Officer

Craig McDonald

Executive Director of Strategy & Innovation

Felicity Long

Manager –  Lifestyle Support Service

Fay London

Manager – Language Services

Kelly Lewis

Manager – Community Services

Jim Gordon

Manager – Information Technology

David Murphy

Manager – Deaf Lottery

Stephen Danckert

Manager – Marketing & Communications